Rainy day Mondays always get me down, sounds like a song I used to sing, but that is the way I would describe last Monday. Cold, damp, and untypical for our Missouri summer weather but that is what greeted me when I stepped out on the patio to test drive an old friend, the Arturo Fuente Curly Head.
The funny name and the plain packaging are a couple of the reasons I picked them up at TopHat Tobacco a while ago. Plus I was doing a little of my own research into finding and reviewing good/great smokes for under $4.00 a stick. The packaging is a clear cellophane wrapper with the words A. Fuente in white script, nice and simple. The cigar is 6 1/2″ long, a ring gauge of 43, and surprisingly has no cigar ring. Darn! I would love to see the cigar ring art for a stick named Curly Head.
The natural wrapper was tan, very firm, with a few veins, a crinkly texture and a moderate tobacco aroma. The cap had an ever so slight taper or tip to it so I used my cutter on it. Before I lit it up I noticed the foot was so loose it actually allowed flecks of tobacco to fall out!
The Arturo Fuente Curly Head lit easily and had a sweet smell on the startup. Even though it appeared to be packed loosely, the stick burned evenly, required no touch ups and had a good draw, start to finish. Better than I can say for a lot of more expensive smokes!
The smoke volume was moderate and I managed quite a few smoke rings during this smoke session. The ash was sturdy enough for the test and not drop off unexpectedly.
My initial draws on this stick really surprised me, it presented a sweet straw-like quality and a hint of vanilla for my palate to enjoy. In the back of my mind I’m thinking, this won’t last, not for $3.49 a stick, it’s too good to be true! This wonderful mild flavor lasted for about 2/3’s of the stick and then for its finale, the Curly Head Cigars, finished the last 1/3 with a peppery bite. Nice!
This oddly named cigar, with its simplistic presentation, was making some very good impressions as I smoked it to the end. The flavor, price and presentation makes the Arturo Fuente Curly Head a good value and would make a great addition to your humidor as an everyday smoke.